'Eyes of the world' watching tidal project

Scotland's First Minister has witnessed a major milestone in the delivery of a major tidal energy initiative.

Nicola Sturgeon visited the MeyGen project, owned by Atlantis Resources, to see the first turbines that will be installed later this year as an array in the Pentland Firth.

Learning gained during testing at the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre played an important role in the development the turbines.

Once deployed off the Caithness coast, they will form the world’s first large-scale tidal energy farm.

The first phase of the MeyGen project, developed with £23 million in Scottish Government funding, is expected to further develop the marine renewables industry and open up a range of skilled job opportunities.

The First Minister said: “I am incredibly proud of Scotland’s role in leading the way in tackling climate change and investment in marine renewables is a hugely important part of this.

“MeyGen is set to invigorate the marine renewables industry in Scotland and provide vital jobs for a skilled workforce, retaining valuable offshore expertise here in Scotland that would otherwise be lost overseas. Highly skilled operation and maintenance jobs will also need to be carried out locally, providing strong local employment opportunity for rural areas.

“There is no doubt that the eyes of the world are on this project which is why the Scottish Government’s investment is so crucially important."

Tim Cornelius, chief executive of Atlantis Resources, said: “This marks a historic milestone not just for Atlantis and our project partners, but for the entire global tidal power industry.

"It gives me enormous pride to have reached this juncture after 10 years of tireless work, preparation and planning by everyone associated with this project. This is the day the tidal power industry announced itself as the most exciting new asset class of renewable, sustainable generation in the UK’s future energy mix."